Removals to South Africa • Shipping to South Africa • International Moving and Storage

If you are looking to arrange removals to South Africa for your household or business, then you might not be sure where to start. Fortunately, help is at hand from experts in international moving Greens Removals, based in the UK, who have a great track record and will provide you with all the benefits of their knowledge and expertise.

It doesn't matter whether you are planning to move to a major centre like Johannesburg, Soweto, Cape Town, Durban or Pretoria or a smaller centre like Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein, Nelspruit, Kimberley, Pietermaritzburg or Polokwane. Whatever your destination, Greens has the expertise to arrange your move and make sure it all goes smoothly, as well as giving all the advice you need.

We will organise the whole process from start to finish, ensuring that your household or business equipment is delivered safely and booking the necessary air freight or containers for the journey. We are BAR registered for removals overseas and we hold all the three relevant British and European Quality Service Standards for the industry.

Professional packing services or supply of materials for you to do your own packing if preferred.

An unpacking service once your items have arrived safely in South Africa.

Helping you with shipping and customs regulations and giving all the information you need.

We will provide you with a quote tailored to your individual needs.

We have a wealth of knowledge on removals to South Africa, and will provide personal advice for your move to ensure that you are fully informed throughout the process.

Moving to South Africa: About South Africa

Famed for its spectacular landscapes and wealth of wildlife, South Africa is the 25th largest country in the world and has been growing in popularity as a tourist destination in recent years, with 800,000-plus visitors arriving every month. More than 200,000 UK expats have set up home in South Africa, attracted by the warmth and the relatively low cost of living.

As a newly industrialised country, it is also the largest economy in Africa and so plays an important role in international business. South Africa has an ethnically diverse population of 51 million people and has a total land size of just over 1.2million square kilometres, meaning it is around five times the size of the UK. It is divided into nine provinces. The country has a relatively temperate climate, with a lot of sunshine on most days and mild winters.

Cape Town is an especially popular destination because of its blend of historic buildings, surfing beaches, restaurants and nightspots and neighbouring vineyards, as well as the famous Cape of Good Hope nearby. Johannesburg, the country's largest city, is home to a large gold and diamond trade, due to its situation in a mineral-rich area, and houses some of South Africa's tallest buildings.

Outside the cities, popular places to visit include Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town, and the Garden Route, which has been nicknamed South Africa's Eden, a stretch of the country's south-eastern coast with beautiful scenery and many lakes and lagoons along the way. An unusual tourist attraction is Robben Island, now a UNESCO heritage site, where you can walk along the maximum security wing where former President Nelson Mandela was held during his many years as a political prisoner during the apartheid era.

South Africa has an enormous range of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards and cheetah as well as the Cape buffalo and Kudu, an African antelope, and snakes like the eastern green and black mamba. There are hundreds of types of bird in the country, ranging from the Spotted Eagle Owl to the African Goshawk and the largest bird in the world: the ostrich. You may be able to spot some of these impressive birds and beasts, as well as the wealth of rare plants, on a visit to one of South Africa's many nature reserves and national parks.

Moving to South Africa: Language

There are 11 official languages in South Africa, but you can expect to find people who speak and understand English everywhere you go, and it is the language of commerce and official documents.

Moving to South Africa: Local Customs and Etiquette

South Africa is a diverse country with many different cultures and communities, so it is often best to take the lead from those around you. Tips are expected in restaurants and for hotel doormen and tour guides. Some women do not expect to shake hands but just nod their heads. If your company is not known in South Africa, it may be a good idea to seek a formal introduction to people who you are hoping to do business with, and to make appointments as far in advance as possible.

Standard office hours are from 8.30 or 9am to 5pm. Shops in smaller centres are likely to close on Saturday afternoons.

Moving to South Africa: Electricity

The electricity supply in South Africa is 220/230 volts, 50 Hz. Most plugs have round pins and are 15amp three-prong or 5amp two-prong.

Moving to South Africa: Time

South African Standard Time is two hours later than Greenwich Mean Time.

Moving to South Africa - Visas

UK citizens do not usually need a visa for a visit to South Africa of 90 days or less. People preparing for removals to South Africa and wanting permission for permanent residency will need to apply for an appointment. You would normally get a temporary permit first and later a permanent one. There are also several different types of work permit. For details, visit the South African High Commission's website.